The Blessing of Friendship
A friend loves you all the time, and a brother helps in time of trouble. PROVERBS 17:17 NCV
Friendship is a beautiful gift that God has given us. As humans, we are wired for connection and relationship, and friendship is one of the most important forms of connection we can have. However, in today’s society, the term friend has been diluted and is used loosely to describe acquaintances and even strangers we meet on social media.
In the Bible, friendship is not something to be taken lightly. It is a covenant, a pledge to honor and cherish another person. The book of Proverbs says that a friend loves at all times, not just when it’s convenient or beneficial for them. This means that true friendship is selfless and sacrificial. It seeks to give and serve rather than to gain.
Perhaps you are feeling lonely or isolated and have yet to experience the blessings of friendship. Or maybe you have been hurt by friends in the past and are hesitant to open yourself up to new relationships. Whatever your situation, know that God desires for you to have meaningful friendships in your life.
Take some time to reflect on the friendships in your life. Thank God for the people He has placed in your life, those who have been a constant source of love and support. And if you find yourself lacking in the friendship department, ask the Holy Spirit to help you cultivate healthy relationships. Ask Him to bring people into your life who will help you grow in your walk with God and who will also benefit from your friendship.
But being a good friend is not just about receiving love and support. It’s also about giving it. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to be a friend to others, how to love them through the good times and the bad. Be willing to put yourself out there and take a risk to build new friendships.
God designed us to live in community and to support one another. As you seek to be a friend to others, you will experience blessings in your own life. So, choose to love your friends through the ups and downs of life, and watch as you in turn are blessed by the constant blessing of friendship.
PRAYER
O God Most High, I praise You for Your Word, which is true and life-changing. I exalt You for Your grace and forgiveness, which Jesus poured out for me at Calvary, and for Your love, which enables me to live out my commitments. I worship You for helping me to understand the wisdom that is found in the Scriptures, and for empowering me to apply it daily to my life. Amen.
This is an excerpt from Morning Gratitude: Inspiring Moments to Start Your Day by Pray.com – a devotional now available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.
